Take Root and Write

Review of CD The Tide by Celeste Friedman

The Tide

written, produced and performed by 

2005 Grammy nominee Celeste Friedman

I recently had a chance to listen to this new CD by Celeste Friedman. I hadn't previously been acquainted with Celeste's work, but found myself becoming a fan in no short amount of time.

Celeste's newest CD was just released in June of 2009 and is really an interesting mix of music. Celeste has an absolutely beautiful voice that is smooth and soothing as you listen.  

According to her website, the title track of the CD was inspired by a story told by Pastor Joel Osteen on a broadcast, about a boat stranded on the shore. She had written several inspirational songs over the past 15 years, but had never recorded them. She was inspired by Pastor Osteen to record those songs. The Tide is a collection of those songs, a mix of both inspirational and contemporary Christian songs.

Review of Go Back and Be Happy by Julie Papievis

Go Back and Be Happy 

by Julie Papievis

• 

  Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Monarch Books (November 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825462762
• ISBN-13: 978-0825462764

Go Back and Be Happy Book Trailer

This is a book of miracles. It is the unbelievable, inspiring true story of Julie Papievis, a successful businesswoman and athlete whose life was changed forever when her car was struck by a teenage running a red light. Julie sustained brain stem injuries that left her with a mere four percent chance to survive, and never given much hope to recover to any degree.

Take Everything by Seventh Day Slumber

Christian Rock Band

Christian Seventh Day Slumber is back with their third CD Take Everything, which features many well known worship songs with a Seventh Day Slumber flair to them. While I really enjoyed this CD, it also wasn't a worship CD that will stand out. These are well known, sound-alike remakes of many popular worship songs.

The band got their start in the mid 90s and basically operated as an independent artist spreading the gospel for quite a few years before signing to a label. With lyrics who's main focus is on the issues teens today face like suicide, drugs, living in abusive homes, drinking, sex, etc., Seventh Day Slumber has risen up the charts to become one of the premiere Christian Rock bands today, featuring a combination of grunge rock sound with in-your-face spiritual lyrics.

Consisting of three members, Joseph Rojas (vocals/guitar), Joshua Schwartz (bass) and Jeremy Holderfield (guitar), their music is comparable to secular bands like Nickelback, Three Doors Down, Staind, and Creed.

New Every Morning: A Devotional Journey by Dr. Mel Cheatham, M.D.; A Book Review

This week  I'd like to recommend to you a great little devotional, I know if  you're like me you tend to have a lot of devotionals, but this is one that is really nice.  It's by Mel Cheatham, M.D., and is entitled New Every Morning: A Devotional Journey, Summerside Press (January 15, 2009).

New Every Morning: A Devotional Journey

Dr. Cheatham invites you to come on a walk with God to enable him to lead you to a life that matters. Have you ever experienced an awareness of God's call on your life? When you feel it, do you grab hold, or do you turn away because of self doubt and excuses?  That is the question Cheatham confronts us with in this journal. There is a saying that God is interested in our availability to be instruments in His service, and that He will give us the ability to do the things that he calls us to do. Cheatham leads the reader on a journey of discovery and challenges us to live a life to the fullest extent as you recognize what the Lord's call upon your life is. Cheatham challenges us to discover what the Lords call upon our lives is and discover the purpose that He designed you for. The book is filled with real life stories and experiences and includes questions to cause some introspection as well as space to journal your thoughts and prayers. Dr. Cheatham encourages and inspires the reader to uncover God's promises and provisions for their lives. Life is new every morning when we trust in Him!

The gem of a devotional is the type I've been looking for. It gives me room to answer the thought provoking questions, as well as space to write down my thoughts about the days devotions. The book is very attractive with an included attached ribbon bookmark. This is a great gift for any age reader and would look wonderful on your own nightstand.

The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

I've been conflicted as to how to begin this column and decided to just start typing;  seems the best way to break the silence.  I'm going to be reviewing books and CD's here. The majority will be Christian based and some might just be excellent books or music I want to draw your attention to. I hope you'll feel free to leave me your comments good or bad.  Let me know if you've read the books and your opinion. Keep an eye out for Give Aways with My Reviews!

And so let me kick off this inaugural column with one of the books I've been reading that I've really liked. One of my favorites that I read earlier this spring was The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner, published by WaterBrook Press (September16, 2008).

The Shape of Mercy

When Lauren Durough, who was raised in a life of luxury, strikes out on her own and is determined to make her own way. She takes a part-time job from a retired librarian named Abigail Boyles, who hires her to transcribe some journal entries of her ancestry Mercy Hayworth who was a victim of the Salem Witch Trials.

Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl, Mercy, who lived and died so long ago. As the fervor surrounding  the witch accusations increases, the journal indicates how Mercy becomes trapped in what is going on around her. As Lauren reads on she finds that the secrets of Mercy's story extend beyond her diary and live on in the mysterious Abigail.

Lauren feels for Mercy force her to take a look at her own life, including her relationship with Abigail, and others in her life.  As Lauren works towards the end of the diary she finds that in the story as in her life, it is built on misconceptions that have shaped her life, and she has to make the decision whether or not to change her attitudes towards them.